Recording device, control device, recording method, recording tape cartridge, and data recording and reproducing system

ABSTRACT

A recording device, a control device, a recording method, a recording tape cartridge, and a data recording and reproducing system capable of accurately positioning a data recording and reproducing head are obtained. A recording device includes a recording unit that records information on linearity of a servo signal recorded on a magnetic tape included in a recording tape cartridge on an RFID tag included in the recording tape cartridge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to,U.S. application Ser. No. 16/120,328, filed Sep. 3, 2018. Thisapplication claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2017-169379 filed on Sep. 4, 2017. The disclosures of the applicationsreferenced above are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a recording device, a control device,a recording method, a recording tape cartridge, and a data recording andreproducing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

A technology for providing a plurality of fixed magnetic heads arrangedside by side in a tape width direction on a traveling path of atape-shaped information recording medium and measuring linearity of asignal track using outputs of the plurality of fixed magnetic heads hasbeen proposed (see JP1994-150201A (JP-H06-150201A)).

Further, a technology for performing position control of a magnetic headon the basis of an off-track amount based on tape fluctuationinformation and an off-track amount of the magnetic head calculated frominformation on a head position has been proposed (see JP2008-217964A).

Further, a technology for positioning a head at a center of each trackon the basis of position data recorded on a disk so that a data width ofeach piece of burst data in a moving direction of the head is smallerthan a track width of each track on the disk and is equal to or greaterthan a data reproducing width of the head has been proposed (seeJP1997-63218A (JP-H09-63218A)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Meanwhile, a linear servo signal recorded on a magnetic tape may not belinearly formed on the magnetic tape. In this case, there is a problemin that positioning of a data recording and reproducing head cannot beaccurately performed using the servo signal recorded on the magnetictape.

In the technologies described in JP1994-150201A (JP-H06-150201A),JP2008-217964A, and JP1997-63218A (JP-H09-63218A), the above problem isnot taken into consideration.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances,and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device,a control device, a recording method, a recording tape cartridge, and adata recording and reproducing system capable of accurately positioninga data recording and reproducing head.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording device according tothe present disclosure comprises a recording unit that recordsinformation on linearity of a servo signal recorded on a magnetic tapeincluded in a recording tape cartridge on a recording medium included inthe recording tape cartridge.

It should be noted that, in the recording device of the presentdisclosure, the information on the linearity of the servo signal may beinformation on linearity of a recording unit for the servo signal in aservo recording head that records the servo signal on the magnetic tape.

Further, in the recording device of the present disclosure, therecording unit may record information on a calculation equation obtainedby approximating the information on the linearity on the recordingmedium.

Further, the control device of the present disclosure comprises areading unit that reads information on the linearity of a servo signalrecorded on a magnetic tape included in a recording tape cartridgerecorded on a recording medium included in the recording tape cartridge;and a controller that performs control to position a data recording andreproducing head that performs reading or writing of data from or to amagnetic tape using the information on the linearity read by the readingunit.

Further, a recording method of the present disclosure is a recordingmethod of recording information on linearity of a servo signal recordedon a magnetic tape included in a recording tape cartridge on a recordingmedium included in the recording tape cartridge.

Further, the recording tape cartridge of the present disclosurecomprises a recording medium on which information on linearity of aservo signal recorded on a magnetic tape is recorded.

It should be noted that in the recording tape cartridge of the presentdisclosure, the recording medium may be an RFID tag or the magnetictape.

Further, a data recording and reproducing system of the presentdisclosure comprises: a recording tape cartridge including a recordingmedium on which information on linearity of a servo signal recorded on amagnetic tape is recorded; and a control device including a reading unitthat reads information on linearity recorded on the recording medium,and a controller that performs control to position a data recording andreproducing head that performs reading or writing of data from or to themagnetic tape using the information on the linearity read by the readingunit.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accuratelyposition the data recording and reproducing head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a recording tapecartridge according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a servo signal according to theembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a servo patternaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a servo pattern according to amodification example.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a servo pattern according to amodification example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofa recording device and a servo recording head according to anembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofmain units of an electrical system of the recording device according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recording processaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of distance informationaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofa data recording and reproducing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofmain units of an electrical system of a controller according to anembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a positioning controlprocess according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofa recording device, a measurement device, and a servo recording headaccording to the modification example.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of distance informationaccording to the modification example.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an example of a servo pattern in acase where the servo pattern is not linearly formed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the drawings.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a configuration of a recording tapecartridge 10 according to the embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1,for convenience of description, a direction of loading to a tape drive66 in the recording tape cartridge 10 is indicated by an arrow FR.Further, hereinafter, the direction indicated by the arrow FR is set asa front direction (a front side) of the recording tape cartridge 10.Further, hereinafter, a direction indicated by an arrow RH orthogonal tothe arrow FR is set as a right direction (a right side) of the recordingtape cartridge 10, and a direction indicated by an arrow UP orthogonalto the arrow FR and the arrow RH is set as an upward direction (an upperside) of the recording tape cartridge 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the recording tape cartridge 10 according tothe embodiment includes a case 12 formed of a resin material such aspolycarbonate (PC) in a substantially rectangular box shape. Inside thecase 12, a resin-made reel 20 around which a recording tape T such as amagnetic tape as an information recording and reproducing medium iswound and mounted is rotatably accommodated.

An opening 14 for pulling out the recording tape T is formed in a frontportion of a right wall of the case 12. A leader pin 16 as a leadermember that is pulled out while being locked by a pullout member (notillustrated) of the tape drive 66 is fixed to a free end portion of therecording tape T pulled out from the opening 14. An annular groove 16Ais formed on both axial sides of the leader pin 16, and the annulargroove 16A is locked to a hook of the pullout member or the like.

Further, a pair of upper and lower pin holding portions 13 forpositioning and holding the leader pin 16 in the case 12 is formedinside the opening 14 of the case 12. The pin holding portion 13 isformed in a substantially semicircular shape with the side from whichthe recording tape T is pulled out being open, and both axial endportions 16B of the leader pin 16 in an upright state can enter or exitthe open side of the pin holding portion 13 to the inside of the pinholding portion 13.

Further, the opening 14 of the case 12 is opened and closed by a door18. The door 18 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shapehaving a size capable of closing the opening 14. A groove 15 into whichupper and lower end portions of the door 18 are slidably inserted isformed inside the opening 14 such that the door 18 can move along theright wall of the case 12.

Further, a convex portion 18A for an opening and closing operationprotrudes rightward at a front end portion of the door 18. The convexportion 18A is engaged with an engaging member (not illustrated) of thetape drive 66 according to loading of the recording tape cartridge 10into the tape drive 66, such that the door 18 is opened.

Further, a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 22 as an example of arecording medium from which recorded information can be read withoutcontact through radio communication or the like is built into the case12. Note that, although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the RFIDtag 22 is disposed at a right rear portion in the case 12, a disposingposition of the RFID tag 22 in the case 12 is not particularly limitedin a range in which there is no interference with, for example, themovable reel 20 or door 18. The disposing position of the RFID tag 22 inthe case 12 may be, for example, a position at which information can beread without contact from the RFID tag 22 by a reading unit 70 to bedescribed below.

Further, the RFID tag 22 according to the embodiment is an RFID tag of amethod in which recorded information is transmitted to a reading devicesuch as an RFID reader according to radio waves transmitted by thereading device (a so-called passive method).

Next, the servo signal recorded on the recording tape T of the recordingtape cartridge 10 according to the embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the recording tape T according to theembodiment, a servo band SB in which a servo signal is recorded and adata band DB in which data is recorded are alternately provided in ancross direction H2 (a width direction of the recording tape T) crossingwith (in the embodiment, orthogonal to) a pullout direction H1 of therecording tape T. Further, the servo signal is a signal in which aplurality of sets of servo patterns SP1 and SP2 are recorded at apredetermined interval in the pullout direction H1.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the respective servo patterns SP1 and SP2according to the embodiment are signals having linear shapes anddifferent slopes. Specifically, the servo patterns SP1 and SP2 aresignals in which a mutual distance D in the pullout direction H1 isgradually separated from one side to the other side in the crossdirection H2. That is, the servo patterns SP1 and SP2 according to theembodiment are signals having different distances D at each position(hereinafter referred to as a “servo position”) in the cross directionH2 of the servo band SB (see JP2004-318983A).

It should be noted that the servo patterns SP1 and SP2 are not limitedto the example illustrated in FIG. 3 as long as the servo patterns SP1and SP2 have linear shapes and different slopes. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the servo pattern SP1 may be a signal having alinear shape having the same direction as the cross direction H2, andthe servo pattern SP2 may be a signal having a linear shape inclined bya predetermined angle with respect to the cross direction H2. Further,as illustrated in FIG. 5, the servo patterns SP1 and SP2 may be signalsin which the distance D gradually increases and then gradually decreasesin the cross direction H2. Further, for example, the servo patterns SP1and SP2 may have shapes as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 of JP4383620B.

Incidentally, the above servo signal is used for positioning in thecross direction H2 of the data recording and reproducing head whichreads or writes data from or to the data band DB of the recording tapeT. A method of positioning the data recording and reproducing head usingthis servo signal is called a timing base servo scheme.

In the timing base servo scheme, positioning of the data recording andreproducing head is performed using a distance D associated with eachservo position of the servo patterns SP1 and SP2 prepared in a tableformat or the like. Therefore, as a degree of linearity of the servopatterns SP1 and SP2 recorded on the recording tape T is lower, an errorbetween the distance D between the servo pattern SP1 and the servopattern SP2 at a certain servo position and the prepared distance Dincreases. Therefore, in this case, the accuracy of positioning of thedata recording and reproducing head is degraded.

As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the servo patterns SP1 and SP2may not be recorded linearly due to various causes. In this regard, ithas been found by intensive study of the present inventor that thedegree of the linearity of the recording unit that records the servosignal of the servo recording head is dominant. Therefore, in theembodiment, information on the linearity of the recording unit thatrecords the servo signal of the servo recording head is used.

Next, a configuration of the recording device 30 according to theembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the recording device 30 according to the embodiment includes ameasurement unit 32, a controller 33, and a recording unit 34. Inaddition, the servo recording head 36 includes a recording unit 38 thatrecords a servo signal in the servo band SB of the recording tape T. Ashape of the recording unit 38 is such a shape that a set of servopatterns SP1 and SP2 can be recorded in the servo band SB of therecording tape T. Further, the recording unit 38 magnetically recordsthe servo patterns SP1 and SP2 at different positions in the pulloutdirection H1 of the servo band SB to thereby record the servo signalillustrated in FIG. 2 in the servo band SB. It should be noted that therecording device 30 may include a plurality of recording units 38.

The measurement unit 32 measures information on the linearity of therecording unit 38 of the servo recording head 36. In the embodiment, themeasurement unit 32 measures the recording unit 38 and outputs a signalaccording to the linearity of the recording unit 38 to the controller33. Examples of the measurement unit 32 include a magnetic Forcemicroscope (MFM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a lasermicroscope. The recording unit 34 records information on the linearityof the recording unit 38 measured by the measurement unit 32 on the RFIDtag 22 in a noncontact manner under the control of the controller 33. Anexample of the recording unit 34 includes an RFID writer. It should benoted that the measurement unit 32 may not be included in the recordingdevice 30. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the information onthe linearity of the recording unit 38 of the servo recording head 36may be measured by the measurement device 31 including the measurementunit 32 separate from the recording device 30. In this case, a form inwhich the controller 33 of the recording device 30 acquires theinformation on the linearity of the recording unit 38 of the servorecording head 36 measured by the measurement device 31 is illustrated.

Next, a configuration of main units of an electrical system of therecording device 30 according to the embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the controller 33 of therecording device 30 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 40, and aread only memory (ROM) 42 in which various programs, various parameters,or the like is stored in advance. Further, the recording device 30includes a nonvolatile storage unit 46 such as a random access memory(RAM) 44 or a hard disk drive (HDD) that is used as a work area or thelike when the CPU 40 executes various programs.

Further, the controller 33 of the recording device 30 includes a displayunit 48 such as a liquid crystal display, an input unit 50 such as akeyboard and a mouse, and an input and output interface (I/F) 52. TheCPU 40, the ROM 42, the RAM 44, the storage unit 46, the display unit48, the input unit 50, and the input and output I/F 52 are connected toeach other via a bus 54.

The measurement unit 32 and the recording unit 34 are connected to theinput and output I/F 52 of the controller 33 of the recording device 30.With the above configuration, the CPU 40 controls each of themeasurement unit 32 and the recording unit 34 via the input and outputI/F 52.

Next, an operation of the recording device 30 according to theembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. A recordingprocess illustrated in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 40 of thecontroller 33 of the recording device 30 executing the recordingprogram. It should be noted that this recording program is installed inthe ROM 42 of the controller 33 of the recording device 30 in advance.Further, the recording process illustrated in FIG. 8 is executed, forexample, when an instruction to execute the recording program is inputby the user via the input unit 50.

In step S10 of FIG. 8, the CPU 40 controls the measurement unit 32 sothat the information on the linearity of the recording unit 38 of theservo recording head 36 is measured. The CPU 40 acquires the informationon the linearity measured by the measurement unit 32. In the next stepS12, the CPU 40 derives a distance shown below using the information onthe linearity acquired in step S10. That is, in this case, the CPU 40derives a distance at a plurality of different positions (that is, aposition corresponding to the servo position) in a directioncorresponding to the cross direction H2 between a portion in which theservo pattern SP1 of the recording unit 38 is recorded and a portion inwhich the servo pattern SP2 is recorded.

In the next step S14, the CPU 40 controls the recording unit 34 so thatinformation including a plurality of different servo positions derivedin step S12 and a distance associated with each servo position(hereinafter referred to as “distance information”) is recorded on theRFID tag 22. When the process of step S14 ends, the present recordingprocess ends.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the distance information. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the distance information includes a plurality ofdifferent servo positions and a distance associated with each servoposition. It should be noted that, as an example, as illustrated in FIG.14, the distance information may be stored for each servo band SB.Further, the CPU 40 may approximate a distance for each of a pluralityof different servo positions and derive, as the distance information,information indicating a calculation equation with a servo positionobtained through the approximation as an input and a distance as anoutput.

The recording process described above is executed, for example, in aprocess of manufacturing the recording tape cartridge 10, and therecording tape cartridge 10 including the RFID tag 22 on which thedistance information is recorded is shipped to a shipping destination.

Next, a configuration of the data recording and reproducing system 60that performs positioning of the data recording and reproducing headusing the distance information recorded on the RFID tag 22 of therecording tape cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.As illustrated in FIG. 10, the data recording and reproducing system 60according to the embodiment includes a tape library 62.

The tape library 62 according to the embodiment includes a plurality ofslots 64 and a tape drive 66.

The recording tape cartridge 10 is stored in the slot 64. When readingfrom or writing to the recording tape T of the recording tape cartridge10 is performed on the tape drive 66, the recording tape cartridge 10taken out from the slot 64 is loaded. Further, after the reading orwriting from or to the recording tape T of the recording tape cartridge10 loaded in the tape drive 66 ends, the recording tape cartridge 10 isunloaded from the tape drive 66 and stored in the slot 64.

The tape drive 66 according to the embodiment includes a controller 68,a reading unit 70, and a data recording and reproducing head 72. Inaddition, the data recording and reproducing head 72 according to theembodiment includes a data recording and reproducing element 74 thatperforms reading or writing of data from or to the data band DB of therecording tape T, and a servo reproducing element 76 that reads a servosignal recorded in the servo band SB of the recording tape T.

The reading unit 70 according to the embodiment reads the distanceinformation recorded on the RFID tag 22 built in the recording tapecartridge 10 in a noncontact manner under the control of the controller68 and outputs the read distance information to the controller 68.Specifically, the reading unit 70 transmits radio waves to the RFID tag22 under the control of the controller 68. When the RFID tag 22 receivesthe radio waves transmitted from the reading unit 70, the RFID tag 22transmits the distance information recorded in the RFID tag 22 to thereading unit 70. The reading unit 70 receives the distance informationtransmitted from the RFID tag 22, and outputs the received distanceinformation to the controller 68. An example of the reading unit 70includes an RFID reader.

The controller 68 performs control to position the data recording andreproducing head 72 using the distance information input from thereading unit 70.

Next, a configuration of main units of an electrical system of thecontroller 68 according to the embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 11. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the controller 68includes a CPU 80 and a ROM 82 in which various programs, variousparameters, or the like is stored in advance. Further, the controller 68includes a RAM 84 that is used as a work area or the like when the CPU80 executes various programs, and a nonvolatile storage unit 86 such asa flash memory. The respective units of the CPU 80, the ROM 82, the RAM84, and the storage unit 86 are connected to each other via a bus 90.

The reading unit 70 and the data recording and reproducing head 72 areconnected to the bus 90 of the controller 68. With the aboveconfiguration, the CPU 80 can control each of the reading unit 70 andthe data recording and reproducing head 72 via the bus 90.

Next, an operation of the data recording and reproducing system 60according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12.A positioning control process illustrated in FIG. 12 is executed by theCPU 80 of the controller 68 executing a positioning control program. Itshould be noted that the positioning control program is installed in theROM 82 of the controller 68 in advance. The positioning control processillustrated in FIG. 12 is executed, for example, when an executioninstruction to read or write data from or to the recording tape T of therecording tape cartridge 10 is input to the controller 68. In addition,here, it is assumed that the positioning control process is executed ina state where the recording tape cartridge 10 is loaded in the tapedrive 66.

In step S20 of FIG. 12, the CPU 80 controls the reading unit 70 to readthe distance information recorded in the RFID tag 22 of the recordingtape cartridge 10. The CPU 80 acquires the distance information read bythe reading unit 70.

In the next step S22, the CPU 80 controls the data recording andreproducing head 72 to cause the servo reproducing element 76 to readthe servo signal recorded in the servo band SB of the recording tape T.

In the next step S24, the CPU 80 derives a distance shown below from adifference between a timing at which the servo pattern SP1 of the servosignal read in step S22 has been read and a timing at which the servopattern SP2 has been read. That is, in this case, the CPU 80 derives thedistance between the servo pattern SP1 and the servo pattern SP2 at theposition in the cross direction H2 of the servo reproducing element 76at a current point in time. Further, the CPU 80 performs aninterpolation process using the closest distance on the side shorterthan the derived distance and the closest distance on the side longerthan the derived distance in the distance information acquired in stepS20 to derive a servo position corresponding to the derived distance.

The CPU 80 derives the amount of movement from a servo positioncorresponding to the derived distance to a servo position correspondingto a predetermined target position.

In the next step S26, the CPU 80 controls the data recording andreproducing head 72 to move the data recording and reproducing head 72in the cross direction H2 by the amount of movement derived in step S24.Through a process of moving the data recording and reproducing head 72,the CPU 80 performs control to position the data recording andreproducing element 74 in the cross direction H2. Reading or writing ofdata from or to the data band DB of the recording tape T is performed bythe data recording and reproducing element 74 according to the positiondetermined in step S26. When the reading or the writing of data from orto the data band DB ends, the recording tape cartridge 10 is unloadedfrom the tape drive 66, and the unloaded recording tape cartridge 10 isstored in the slot 64. When the process of step S26 ends, the presentpositioning control process ends.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the information on thelinearity of the recording unit for the servo signal in the servorecording head is recorded on the recording medium of the recording tapecartridge. Therefore, it is possible to easily record the informationindicating the linearity of the servo signal. Further, it is possible toaccurately position the data recording and reproducing head using theinformation indicating the linearity.

It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, the case where thedistance information is recorded in the RFID tag 22 has been described,but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, thedistance information may be repeatedly recorded in a head portion orover an entire length of the data band DB or the servo band SB of therecording tape T or may be recorded in a bar code recorded at apredetermined position on the outer circumferential surface of the case12. In addition, the distance information may be recorded in atwo-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) recordedat a predetermined position on the outer circumferential surface of thecase 12.

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller 68 may store thedistance information read from the RFID tag 22 in the storage unit 86 inassociation with identification information of the recording tapecartridge 10. In this case, for example, an aspect in which theidentification information of the recording tape cartridge 10 is storedin the RFID tag 22, and the identification information of the recordingtape cartridge 10 is read from the RFID tag 22 is illustrated. Further,in this case, an aspect in which when the recording tape cartridge 10 ofwhich corresponding distance information is stored in the storage unit86 is used, the controller 68 positions the data recording andreproducing element 74 using the distance information stored in thestorage unit 86 is illustrated. Further, for example, a controllerincluding a storage unit may be provided in the tape library 62, and thedistance information read from the RFID tag 22 may be stored in thestorage unit of this controller.

Further, in the above embodiment, information on other linearity of therecording unit 38 of the servo recording head 36 measured by themeasurement unit 32 (for example, image information including therecording unit 38, coordinate information of the recording unit 38, orthe like) may be recorded on the RFID tag 22 or the storage unit 86,instead of the distance information. In this case, an aspect in whichwhen the controller 68 uses the recording tape cartridge 10, thedistance information is generated from the information recorded in theRFID tag 22 or the storage unit 86 is illustrated.

Further, in the above embodiment, identification information such as aserial number of the servo recording head 36, which is a measurementtarget of the measurement unit 32, may be recorded in the RFID tag 22instead of the distance information. In this case, an aspect in which adatabase in which the serial number of the servo recording head 36 andthe distance information are associated with each other is stored in thestorage unit 86 of the controller 68 in advance is illustrated. In thiscase, an aspect in which the controller 68 acquires the distanceinformation from the database stored in the storage unit 86 using theidentification information recorded in the RFID tag 22 when therecording tape cartridge 10 is used is illustrated. Further, forexample, a controller including a storage unit may be provided in thetape library 62, and the database may be stored in the storage unitincluded in the controller.

Further, in the above embodiment, information indicating a calculationequation obtained by approximating each of a shape of a portion in whichthe servo pattern SP1 of the recording unit 38 of the servo recordinghead 36 is recorded and a shape of a portion in which the servo patternSP2 is recorded may be recorded in the RFID tag 22 instead of thedistance information. In this case, an aspect in which the controller 68derives a distance corresponding to each servo position using theinformation indicating the calculation equation is illustrated.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the RFID tag 22 hasbeen applied as a recording medium from which recorded information canbe read in a noncontact manner has been described, but the presentinvention is not limited thereto. For example, an aspect in which amemory card having a wireless communication function is applied as therecording medium from which the recorded information can be read in anoncontact manner may be adopted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the RFID tag using apassive method is applied as the RFID tag 22 has been described, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, an RFID tag usinga method of transmitting radio waves (a so-called active method) may beapplied as the RFID tag 22.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case in which the information onthe linearity of the recording unit 38 of the servo recording head 36 ismeasured has been described, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. The information on the linearity of the servo patterns SP1 andSP2 recorded in the servo band SB of the recording tape T may bemeasured. In this case, information on linearity of one set of servopatterns SP1 and SP2 may be measured, or information on linearity of aplurality of sets of servo patterns SP1 and SP2 may be measured andaveraged.

Further, in the above embodiment, various types of processors other thanthe CPU may execute the recording process and the positioning controlprocess executed by the CPU executing the software (program). As theprocessor in this case, a programmable logic device (PLD) of which acircuit configuration can be changed after manufacture such as afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), a dedicated electrical circuitwhich is a processor having a circuit configuration designed to bededicated for execution of a specific process such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like is illustrated. Further,the recording process and the positioning control process may beexecuted by one of the various processors, or may be executed by acombination of two or more of the same or different types of processors(for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a CPU and anFPGA). A hardware structure of the various processors is, morespecifically, an electrical circuit in which circuit elements such assemiconductor elements are combined.

Further, in the above embodiment, the aspect in which the recordingprogram is stored (installed) in the ROM 42 in advance has beendescribed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Therecording program may be provided as a form recorded on a recordingmedium such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), a digitalversatile disk read only memory (DVD-ROM), and a universal serial bus(USB) memory. Further, the recording program may be a form downloadedfrom an external device over a network.

Further, in the above embodiment, an aspect in which the positioningcontrol program is stored (installed) in the ROM 82 in advance has beendescribed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Thepositioning control program may be provided in an aspect in which thepositioning control program has been recorded on a recording medium suchas a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB memory. Further, the positioningcontrol program may be downloaded from an external device over anetwork.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

-   -   10: recording tape cartridge    -   12: case    -   13: pin holding portion    -   14: opening    -   15: groove    -   16: leader pin    -   16A: annular groove    -   16B: both end portions    -   18: door    -   18A: convex portion    -   20: reel    -   22: RFID tag    -   30: recording device    -   31: measurement device    -   32: measurement unit    -   33, 68: controller    -   34, 38: recording unit    -   36: servo recording head    -   40, 80: CPU    -   42, 82: ROM    -   44, 84: RAM    -   46, 86: storage unit    -   48: display unit    -   50: input unit    -   52: input and output I/F    -   54, 90: bus    -   60: data recording and reproducing system    -   62: tape library    -   64: slot    -   66: tape drive    -   70: reading unit    -   72: data recording and reproducing head    -   74: data recording and reproducing element    -   76: servo reproducing element    -   D: distance    -   DB: data band    -   FR: arrow    -   H1: pullout direction    -   H2: cross direction    -   RH: arrow    -   SP1, SP2: servo pattern    -   SB: servo band    -   T: recording tape    -   UP: arrow

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device comprising: a reading unit thatreads information on linearity of a servo signal recorded on a magnetictape included in a recording tape cartridge recorded on a recordingmedium included in the recording tape cartridge; and a controller thatperforms control to position a data recording and reproducing head thatperforms reading or writing of data from or to a magnetic tape using theinformation read by the reading unit.
 2. The control device according toclaim 1, wherein the information on the linearity of the servo signal isinformation on linearity of a recording unit for the servo signal in aservo recording head that records the servo signal on the magnetic tape.3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the recording unitrecords information on a calculation equation obtained by approximatingthe information on the linearity on the recording medium.
 4. The controldevice cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium isan RFID tag or the magnetic tape.
 5. A data recording and reproducingsystem comprising: a recording tape cartridge including a recordingmedium on which information on linearity of a servo signal recorded on amagnetic tape is recorded; and a control device including a reading unitthat reads information on linearity recorded on the recording medium,and a controller that performs control to position a data recording andreproducing head that performs reading or writing of data from or to themagnetic tape using the information read by the reading unit.
 6. Thedata recording and reproducing system according to claim 5, wherein theinformation on the linearity of the servo signal is information onlinearity of a recording unit for the servo signal in a servo recordinghead that records the servo signal on the magnetic tape.
 7. The datarecording and reproducing system according to claim 5, wherein therecording unit records information on a calculation equation obtained byapproximating the information on the linearity on the recording medium.8. The data recording and reproducing system according to claim 5,wherein the recording medium is an RFID tag or the magnetic tape.